The Law Down Under Podcast

E31 Construction Law – With Michael Weatherall

On today’s episode, we interview Michael Weatherall, an expert in construction law and dispute resolution.  Michael has worked for Simpson Grierson since 1997, where he is now a partner and heads their construction law team.
Michael has specialist expertise in virtually all areas of construction law.  Before joining Simpson Grierson in 1997, he worked for the largest construction law firm in the UK.  His first career was as a structural engineer and project manager with Beca.  He remains a Chartered Professional Engineer. 
Michael is a past President of the New Zealand Society of Construction Law, and is a current member of the Standards New Zealand Committee which drafted the NZS3910:2023 Standard Conditions of Contract for Construction and Engineering Projects.  He is also co-author of Kennedy-Grant and Weatherall on Construction Law in New Zealand”, the country’s leading practitioner text.
We talk to Michael about all things construction law, including contracts and dispute resolution processes.  I hope you enjoy this episode with Michael Weatherall.

E30 Cross Examination - With Larry Pozner

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Larry Pozner, an internationally renowned expert on cross-examination.  A veteran criminal defence trial lawyer, Larry has achieved success as counsel in several high-profile cases and represented major American organizations such as the American Insurance Group and the Denver Broncos.
Larry began his career as a public defender in Colorado and went on to found two firms specializing in criminal defence and civil litigation.  He taught at the University of Denver College of Law, where he was voted Best Professor, and has since held programs on trial tactics throughout the US, Canada and Brazil.
He was recognised as Lawyer of the Year for Denver Criminal Defence (Non-White Collar) by The Best Lawyers in America, and has been listed in the publication since 1987.
Today, we have the privilege of hosting Larry on the podcast while he is in New Zealand to present his revolutionary seminar on cross examination.  We talk with Larry about his illustrious career which spans more than five decades, as well as the latest edition of his book, ‘Cross Examination: Science and Techniques’, which was co-authored with expert trial attorney Roger Dodd.  I hope you enjoy this episode with Larry Pozner.

E29 Insurance Contracts Bill - With Hon Dr Duncan Webb

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we interview former lawyer and current member of Parliament, Dr Duncan Webb.  Duncan has served as the MP for Christchurch Central since 2017.  As a former insurance lawyer and Professor of Law, Duncan has also worked for the Public Interest Project, which seeks to free innocent people from jail, and the Howard League, an organisation that advocates for prison reform.
Duncan serves as the Deputy Shadow Leader of the House, a Member of the Justice Committee, and the Co-Chairperson of the New Zealand, Middle East and Africa Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.  He is also the Labour Party Spokesperson for Christchurch Issues, Justice, the Earthquake Commission, and Regulation.
In this episode, we discuss Duncan’s bill, “The Insurance Contracts Bill,” which was drawn from the members’ ballot bill biscuit tin in Parliament.  Duncan’s bill aims to modernize insurance laws in New Zealand, making insurance contracts fairer and clearer for consumers.  We talk with Duncan about how the bill rectifies several issues in our existing insurance law framework and brings much-needed reform to the industry.  I hope you enjoy this episode with the Hon Dr Duncan Webb.

E28 Cryptocurrency Law - With James Cochrane

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we are joined by James Cochrane, a partner in Lane Neave’s Dispute Resolution and Litigation team.  James has extensive experience in banking and finance, insolvency, and insurance.  He also has a passion for all things cryptocurrency and Web3 technology.
James was named by NZ Lawyer as a “changemaker” in its 2023 Most Influential Lawyers rankings.  In 2022, he was named by Doyle as a Leading Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyer for New Zealand.  He is a founding member of the New Zealand Institute of Credit Management, and is also on the Executive Council and legal working group for Blockchain New Zealand.
Today, we talked with James about the law of cryptocurrency, digital assets, and the blockchain.  We take a look at the challenges faced by investors, including emerging issues locally and overseas, as well as some local and international crypto exchange collapses.  We consider how New Zealanders can protect themselves as the law in this area continues to develop.
I hope you enjoy this episode with James Cochrane.

E27 Introduction to Immigration Law - With Michelle Chen

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Michelle Chen, a specialist immigration lawyer and director of MC Legal.  Having grown up with migrant parents, Michelle is driven by her personal experiences to help individuals and businesses alike with their immigration-related enquiries.
Michelle is bilingual and has worked and studied in China and has travelled to several countries, including Russia, Tajikistan and Vietnam.  In 2022, she started her own immigration practice, MC Legal.  Michelle now works closely with businesses to ensure their ongoing immigration compliance, and with individuals looking to call New Zealand home.
Today we talk with Michelle about how her personal experiences have influenced her work as an immigration specialist.  We also take a look at the regulatory framework in New Zealand, and consider the challenges faced by migrants and businesses alike.
I hope you enjoy this episode with Michelle Chen.

E26 Digitalising the Legal Industry - With Dominic Woolrych

Get comfortable and be ready to enter the captivating world where law meets tech innovation on today's electrifying episode of the Law Down Under Podcast. We are thrilled to be in the company of Dominic Woolrych, the visionary co-founder of Lawpath. Be prepared as we journey through the technological frontier of the legal profession.
Dominic Woolrych is the founder of Lawpath, an online legal platform that's rewriting the rules of the game for small businesses in Australia.  He has also been blazing a trail as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney. Oh, and did we mention he's a director of the Australian Legal Technology Association? That's right, he's a triple-threat powerhouse in the legal tech arena.
In 2022, Dom rightly took his spot as a finalist at the SmallBiz Week Young Hero Awards in the coveted Young Innovator category. He's not just any innovator; he's in a league of his own, as evidenced by his recognition as one of the Top 20 University of Technology Sydney Alumni.
Today, we dive deep into Dom's inspiring mission—to transform and digitalize the legal industry. Together, we explore the thrilling landscape of regulatory change and its profound impact on small businesses. But that's not all; we embark on a journey through the heart of the AI revolution, a seismic shift that's just begun to shake the legal profession to its core. We attempt to unravel the limitless opportunities AI offers to the legal profession here Down Under.
We won't stop there! Join us as we dissect the technological trends shaping the future of the legal profession. This episode is your passport to the legal tech frontier, where innovation knows no bounds.
Sit back, stand up or do what you like but get ready to be inspired as we embark on this incredible episode with the trailblazing Dom Woolrych.

E25 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion: A Pasifika Perspective - With Dr Mele Vaitohi

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we are joined by Dr Mele Vaitohi, a leading legal scholar on Tongan constitutional law.  Mele has had an extensive career in law and Government, and is the Manager of New Zealand Parliament’s Parliamentary Law and Practice Team. She recently completed her PhD in Law at Otago University, where she focused on the effects of the 2010 constitutional reform in Tonga.
In December 2022, Dr Vaitohi collaboratively published a groundbreaking research report on Improving Pasifika Legal Education in Aotearoa. We talk with Mele about the findings of the report, particularly the barriers affecting access to legal education for Pasifika students, as well as how schools, universities and the wider profession can improve the experience of Pasifika peoples.  We also briefly discuss the complex issue of intersectionality being the interconnected relationship of social categorisations (such as race and social-economic status) as applied to Pasifika as a group. I hope you enjoy this episode with Dr Mele Vaitohi.
Suggested further reading:
Brooks, Jeffrey S. and Theoharis, George (2018) "Whiteucation: Privilege, Power and Prejudice in School and Society". Routledge. (Link)
Melville, Angela (2014) "Barriers to Entry into Law School: An Examination of Socio-Economic and Indigenous Disadvantage". Legal Education Review, Vol. 24 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. (Link)
Pease, Bob (2022) "Undoing Privilege: Unearned Advantage and Systemic Injustice in an Unequal World". Bloomsbury Publishing.
Rivera, Lauren A (2015) "Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs". Princeton University Press. (Link)
Tharp, D. Scott (2021) "Decoding Privilege: Exploring White College Students' Views on Social Inequality". Routledge. (Link)
Verkaik, Robert (2018) "Posh Boys (How English Public Schools Ruin Britain)". Oneworld.

E24 Sports Law - With Aaron Lloyd

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we are joined by Aaron Lloyd, a partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts. Aaron specialises in trial advocacy, white-collar criminal and regulatory affairs, employment law, and sports law. Aaron is recognized as one of the Asia-Pacific’s top sports lawyers, and recently received Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year Award 2023 for Sports Law. He has affiliations with several esteemed organisations, including the Legal Research Foundation, the American Bar Association, and the Auckland Medico-Legal Society. He also serves on the Panel of Pro-Bono Counsel for the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand. Today we talk to Aaron about his involvement in sports law and how the sporting industry is regulated both at international and national level.  We also discuss the roles played by WADA, the Sports Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport as well as several other sports-related issues. I hope you enjoy this episode with Aaron Lloyd.

E23 The Internet and the Law - With Arran Hunt

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Arran Hunt, a partner at Stace Hammond.
Arran is an expert in immigration law, technology law, internet law and social media. He has a passion for helping people to protect themselves online and to understand how the laws of the digital world impact them. He is a Board Member of the Dignity Freedom Network, a non-profit organization focused on improving access to education and restoring dignity and freedom to marginalized children and women. In 2021, Arran was awarded as a Top Diverse Board-Ready Director by the Superdiversity Institute for Law, Policy and Business.
Today, we talk to Arran about the law of the internet and social media. We consider the types of threats that exist online and whether New Zealand’s current legal framework is sufficient to keep up with the ever-developing world of technology. We also discuss advances in technology that affect lawyers and how individuals and businesses can protect themselves online. I hope you enjoy this episode with Arran Hunt.

E22 Access to Civil Justice - With Dr Bridgette Toy-Cronin

On today’s episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, we interview Dr Bridgette Toy-Cronin, an expert in the legal profession, civil procedure and access to justice. She is passionate about improving access to the civil justice system, and researches issues pertaining to litigants, dispute resolution design, and socio-legal methods for civil justice research. Bridgette has a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School, and is a Senior Lecturer at Otago University, where she teaches undergraduate programmes in The Legal System, as well as Lawyers, Clients and the Profession. She is also the Director of the Civil Justice Centre and a Co-Director of the Otago Centre for Law and Society. We talk to Bridgette about supporting people to access the justice system, as well as the future of dispute resolution processes and spaces. I hope you enjoy this episode with Dr Bridgette Toy-Cronin.